Tour de France 2014: Stage 5 - No climbs but plenty of cobbles

The 5th Tour stage has no climbs, but nine cobbled sections at a total length of 13 kilometres. They are spread over the last 69 kilometres of the 152,5 kilometre stage. Orginally it was nine sectors but due to slippery conditions the organisation skipped two cobbled sectors at the eleventh hour. (Slideshow route/profile)

Gruson au Carrefour de l’Arbre
The first cobbled sector is the infamous Carrefour de l’Arbre. This strip features in Paris-Roubaix, often shaping the course of the race, and has 5 out of 5 stars in the difficulty rating. Good news for the riders, in this stage less than one kilometre is featured whereas in Paris-Roubaix it is more than 2 kilometers long.

Ennevelin à Pont – Thibault
This section is 1.4 kilometres long. While it is slightly longer than the previous section, it is easier, given 3 out of 5 stars.

~~Mons-en-Pévèle~~
Mons-en-Pévèle – another 5 star section. Just 1.1 kilometres today, the riders are lucky it is not the ‘usual’ 3 kilometres.
Due to bad weather, this section is skipped from the stage

Bersee
Another famous section from the ‘Hell of the North’, often coming late in the race. Bersee is now more than 40 kilometres from the finish, coming 4 kilometres after Mons-en-Pévèle

~~Ochies Beuvry à-la-Forêt~~
1400 metres to cover in what is regarded as a new sector in Paris-Roubaix, first featuring in 2007. Four down, five more stretches to go!
Due to bad weather, this section is skipped from the stage

Sars-et-Rosières à Tilloy-lez-Marchiennes
The section was also included in the 3rd stage of the Tour de France in 2010. Fränk Schleck hit the deck and had to abandon. It’s 2.4 kilometres long and the 2nd longest of today’s sectors. Expect GC riders up front with fingers crossed.

Brillon à Warlaing
This 1.4 kilometre stretch also features regularly in Paris-Roubaix and comes just 1.5 kilometres after the previous sector.

Wandignies-à Hamage Hornaing
At 3.7 kilometres long, the Wandignies-à Hamage Hornaing is the longest cobbled road today. It also featured in the 2010 Tour.

Hélesmes à Wallers
The last sector, expect some relief for those still up front! 5 kilometres from here to the finish line after what should be a thrilling stage.